John 12:7

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

John 12:7 in Other Translations

7 Then said Jesus,Let her alone: against the day of my burying hath she kept this.

7 Jesus said, "Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial.

7 Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. She did this in preparation for my burial.

7 Jesus said, "Let her alone. She's anticipating and honoring the day of my burial.

7 Jesus answered, "Leave her alone; she has kept it for the day of My burial.

John 12:7 Meaning and Commentary

John 12:7

Then said Jesus, let her alone
Do not disturb her in what she does, or hinder her, or blame her for it:

against the day of my burial hath she kept this;
this ointment, which she now poured on Christ; it was usual to embalm the dead with ointments and spices: Christ suggests, that the time of his death and burial were nigh, and that this woman had kept this ointment till now, for such a purpose; and whereas she would not be able to make use of it at the time of his interment, she had embalmed his body with it now, beforehand; though without any knowledge of his death, or any such intention and design in her, but the Holy Ghost so directing her: for this is not to be understood of her keeping any part of it till that time, which it does not appear she did.

John 12:7 In-Context

5 “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages. ”

6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

7 “Leave her alone,” Jesus replied. “It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.

8 You will always have the poor among you,but you will not always have me.”

9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.

Cross References

• 1. John 19:40